A recent study published by Indeed.com and summarized in the Wall Street Journal challenges the recruiting mindset that passive candidates, those lured by recruiters, make better hires than active candidates busy networking and applying for roles.
Conducted in Spring and published in June 2015, the study found 90% of individuals took steps to look for a job in the six months before they were hired, compared to just 10% who received a job offer without looking at all. Furthermore, the study discovered that active candidates are more motivated to succeed than passive candidates and are cheaper and faster to onboard.
While a complete 180 is not likely in the short term where companies stop using recruiters to track down passive candidates for tough-to-fill jobs, it behooves candidates to remain active without screaming from the rooftops that they seek a new job. Here’s how:
KEEP AN EYE ON THE JOB MARKET
Check in semi-regularly on job postings. While the ROI of a job search strategy that only encompasses job boards is likely to prove frustrating, at the very least you’ll get a sense for who is and isn’t hiring.
From there you can figure out who you know at these companies and begin building a network that targets particular organizations.
The rise of smartphones, job-alert and matchmaking services like Poachable, Poacht, Switch, Jobr, Hired, and Indeed’s Prime to connect candidates with companies interested makes monitoring listings easier than ever.
KEEP YOUR RESUME PRIMED AND READY
Always have your resume ready to roll. Last minute professional resume writers are often hard to find, and DIY resume writing can be harder than it appears.
KEEP UP APPEARANCES ON LINKEDIN
Make sure your LinkedIn profile is current and 100% complete – from a searchable headline and full headshot to a completed summary, skills and job experience section.
REMAIN ACTIVE ON LINKEDIN
A stagnant account appears lower in the feeds of connections than does an account of someone active on LinkedIn.
Activity can and should include everything from continuously searching for quality connections to sharing and liking to commenting on articles and perhaps even publishing your own on LinkedIn Pulse.
PREPARE YOUR SPEECH
Prepare your elevator speech for that unexpected (but much anticipated!) call that speaks to how and why you are the perfect fit for the role. Be ready to communicate this speech both verbally (in person, Skype and on the phone) as well as in writing via emails, cover e-notes and thank you letters.
KNOW YOUR BOTTOM LINE
Many say they are always willing to switch jobs for the ideal role. Having a sense for what you define as an ideal role will help you in your job search.
Calculate an estimate of what kind of money and terms it would take to make you move roles and potentially move locations. That way when and if the salary discussion rears its head early in the discussion and you are unable to redirect – you have a bottom line in mind.
This article was syndicated from Business 2 Community: How To Be An Active (But Not Desperate) Job Search Candidate
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